System and method for operating a wireless medical device interrogation network

• US 20080109051A1
• Filed: 11/06/2006
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Splinter, Tim John, Hoyme, Kenneth P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,462,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37254 Pacemaker or defibrillator security, e.g. to prevent or inhibit programming alterations by hackers or unauthorised individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37288 Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A system and method for operating a wireless medical device interrogation network is provided. Data exchange sessions are transacted with a wireless medical device over a plurality of interrogation points that each cover different zones of interrogation. State regarding interim data packets exchanged during each data exchange session is maintained and is accessible by each of the interrogation points. Frequency agile switching between the interrogation points and the wireless medical device during a wireless data exchange session is supported.

Claims

1. A system for operating a wireless medical device interrogation network, comprising:

a plurality of interrogation points that each cover different zones of interrogation to transact data exchange sessions with a wireless medical device;

state regarding interim data packets exchanged during each data exchange session and accessible by each of the interrogation points; and

at least one transceiver and one or more antenna at each interrogation point to support frequency agile switching between the interrogation points and the wireless medical device during a wireless data exchange session.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a controls module to request re-exchange with the wireless medical device of each such interim data packet partially received upon an interruption of the wireless data exchange session.

3. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a centrally designated device to assemble the interim data packets into a final data packet upon successful completion of the wireless data exchange session; and

to communicate the final data packet to a server.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein comprising:

a wireless medical device interrogation network environment, comprising at least one of;

one such interrogation network interconnected with one patient having at least one wireless medical device;

interfacing one such interrogation network interconnected with a plurality of patients who each have at least one wireless medical device;

interfacing a plurality of the interrogation networks interconnected with one patient having at least one wireless medical device; and

interfacing a plurality of the interrogation networks interconnected with a plurality of patients who each have at least one wireless medical device.

5. A system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a unique identifier associated with the wireless medical device, wherein the unique identifier is included with each interim data packet for use in patient and wireless medical device identification.

6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

a sensor to sense data comprising one or more of physiological measures, parametric data, and environmental parameters, which is stored into interim data packets;

an encryption module to encrypt the interim data packets during the wireless data exchange session; and

a programming module to program the wireless medical device through the wireless data exchange session.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless data exchange session is initiated with the wireless medical device through one of polling, scheduling, and on-demand.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the interrogation points interface in at least one of a hub configuration and a relay configuration.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein each interrogation point is selected from the group comprising a patient management device, advanced programmer, and antenna point.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless medical device is selected from the group comprising an implantable sensor, implantable therapeutic device, external sensor, and external therapeutic device.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless data exchange sessions occur over at least one of a Bluetooth-compliant, WiFi-compliant, WiMax-compliant, and proprietary wireless data network.

12. A method for operating a wireless medical device interrogation network, comprising:

transacting data exchange sessions with a wireless medical device over a plurality of interrogation points that each cover different zones of interrogation;

maintaining state regarding interim data packets exchanged during each data exchange session and accessible by each of the interrogation points; and

supporting frequency agile switching between the interrogation points and the wireless medical device during a wireless data exchange session.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

requesting re-exchange with the wireless medical device of each such interim data packet partially received upon an interruption of the wireless data exchange session.

14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

assembling the interim data packets into a final data packet upon successful completion of the wireless data exchange session; and

communicating the final data packet to a server.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein comprising:

configuring a wireless medical device interrogation network environment, comprising at least one of;

interfacing one such interrogation network to one patient having at least one wireless medical device;

interfacing one such interrogation network to a plurality of patients who each have at least one wireless medical device;

interfacing a plurality of the interrogation networks to one patient having at least one wireless medical device; and

interfacing a plurality of the interrogation networks to a plurality of patients who each have at least one wireless medical device.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

associating a unique identifier with the wireless medical device; and

including the unique identifier with each interim data packet for use in patient and wireless medical device identification.

17. A method according to claim 12, further comprising at least one of:

sensing data comprising one or more of physiological measures, parametric data, and environmental parameters, which is stored into interim data packets;

encrypting the interim data packets during the wireless data exchange session; and

programming the wireless medical device through the wireless data exchange session.

18. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

initiating the wireless data exchange session with the wireless medical device through one of polling, scheduling, and on-demand.

19. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

interfacing the interrogation points in at least one of a hub configuration and a relay configuration.

20. A method according to claim 12, wherein each interrogation point is selected from the group comprising a patient management device, advanced programmer, and antenna point.

21. A method according to claim 12, wherein the wireless medical device is selected from the group comprising an implantable sensor, implantable therapeutic device, external sensor, and external therapeutic device.

22. A method according to claim 12, wherein the wireless data exchange sessions occur over at least one of a Bluetooth-compliant, WiFi-compliant, WiMax-compliant, and proprietary data network.

23. A wireless antenna point for use in a medical device interrogation network, comprising:

a device interface to wirelessly connect to a medical device;

a buffer to stage data exchanged with the medical device;

state to track the data last successfully exchanged; and

a network interface to connect with one or more of other wireless antenna points and a patient management device.

24. A wireless antenna point according to claim 23, further comprising:

an arbiter to designate one of the wireless antenna points upon interruption of an active connection between medical device and one such wireless antenna point.

25. A wireless antenna point according to claim 23, wherein the network interface is at least one of wired and wireless.